Electronic programmable speed limiter

Abstract

The instant invention utilizes a programmable circuit which has a 186EM Micro controller therein to operate a circuit which integrates peripherals such as a memory controller, a programmable input and output, a timer and serial controller to increase system functionality and lower cost. The entire CPU circuit is mounted in a vehicle near the steering wheel where the key fob of the particular driver can be inserted for driver identification. There is an electronic box mounted forward of the firewall that contains the module specific for the brand of vehicle. The CPU module is wired to the under the hood box and a connection to that wiring in the back of the dash mounting holder. The holder guides the CPU module into the connector as the CPU module is inserted into the holder. The programmable unit is contained in a module which controls the speed of the vehicle and the memory function of the module itself. The unit is essentially a hand-held computer that is an integrated, low-voltage, single chip implementation of a high-performance 16 bit, x86 compatible microprocessor with the extra logic needed for PC/AT-compatible PCs. It has an AM 386 CPU core with a memory control unit, ISA bus controller and peripheral control logic.

1. A system for specifically regulating the driving performance of a given individual by use of a personal computer, said system comprising
 a monitoring means adapted to be attached to the vehicle the given individual is to drive, 
 a data processing means having performance criteria preprogrammed therein and which relates to the driving performance history of said given individual, 
 alarm means associated with said data processing means to sound an alarm at selected driving conditions for said given individual, and 
 engine control means associated with said data processing means and adapted to regulate operation of the engine of a vehicle, 
 whereby the operation of a vehicle by said given individual can be preprogrammed, recorded and closely monitored. 
 
   
   
     2. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said date processing means performance criteria includes a settable speed reduction for rainy conditions. 
   
   
     3. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said data processing means performance criteria includes a maximum speed based on historical information on said given individual including his legal driving record. 
   
   
     4. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said data processing means performance criteria includes a settable speed reduction for darkness. 
   
   
     5. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said monitoring means is comprised of two sections, one section containing a micro controller with an infrared link and/or radio to link for a direct linkage with a PC and the other section being adapted to be permanently attached to the interior of a vehicle, said first section being removable from said vehicle and said second section. 
   
   
     6. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said monitoring means includes an antilock type sensor and said data processing means includes a clock. 
   
   
     7. A system as in  claim 1  wherein said monitoring means includes means to monitor the speed of said vehicle by counting clock cycles as an assessment of part of a square wave coming from an antilock type sensor which measures the rising edge of the square wave. 
   
   
     8. A system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motor vehicle, said system including;
 an electronic module means adapted to be mounted in the interior of a vehicle to be controlled and monitored, 
 sensor means connected to said module means and adapted to senses the speed of said vehicle, 
 data-link means on said electronic module by which control program data specific to a driver may be downloaded into said module to create driving parameters for multiple drivers per vehicle, 
 whereby the operation of said vehicle may be limited to preprogrammed parameters in terms of speed and other factors including the operators driving history. 
 
   
   
     9. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said sensor means is also adapted to sense the presence of rainy conditions and said control program data is responsive to said rainy conditions being sensed by further limiting the parameters of the operation of said vehicle by said driver. 
   
   
     10. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said sensor means is also adapted to sense darkness and said control program data is responsive to said data darkness being sensed by further limiting the parameters of the operation of said vehicle by said driver. 
   
   
     11. A system as in  claim 8  including antilock type sensors and wherein said speed sensor means counts clock cycles at a point of the square wave coming from the antilock sensor on one of the vehicle wheels to give a digital detection of speed and loads a register integral with wheel speed sensor. 
   
   
     12. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said electronic module means and said speed sensor means are programmed so that previously loaded vehicle operational limiting data is not downloaded into the PC based data screen until said driver has exceeded preprogrammed vehicle operation parameters. 
   
   
     13. A system as in  claim 12  wherein said system additionally includes means to initially slow down said vehicle's operation by disabling a portion of its motor function when said initial vehicle operating parameters are exceeded by the driver. 
   
   
     14. A system as in  claim 13  wherein said means to slow down said vehicle operation also is capable of stopping said vehicle if other preprogrammed parameters, including one to detect a drunken driver, is recognized by the sensors. 
   
   
     15. A system as in  claim 13  wherein said system additionally includes means to provide an alarm prior to slowing down said vehicle by disabling a portion of it's motor. 
   
   
     16. A system as in  claim 15  wherein said means to provide an alarm has several levels, the first being to warn the driver with a quick sound or chirp before a date stamp is recorded, the second being adapted to warn of an impending shut off of a portion of the motor's fuel injectors, and at least one other adapted to warn the driver of a total shut off of the motor and/or ignition. 
   
   
     17. A system as in  claim 13  wherein said means to slow down the motor operation includes means to turn off a fraction of the fuel injectors on the motor. 
   
   
     18. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said electronic module means contains a serial micro controller, a programmable input and a timer, the module controls it's own memory function. 
   
   
     19. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said system also includes means to detect system tampering by anyone, including the driver, other than authorized personal as well as recording the time of the tampering. 
   
   
     20. A system as in  claim 19  wherein said tampering detection system includes a key fob function. 
   
   
     21. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said system also includes a battery pack and an accompanying charger. 
   
   
     22. A system as in  claim 8  and including means to record the operation of the vehicle for each specific driver in terms of speed and compliance with preprogrammed parameters in FLASH memory so that destruction or battery loss will not compromise the data recorded. 
   
   
     23. A system as in  claim 8  wherein said system also includes means to identify the correct driver for the vehicle for a given time period. 
   
   
     24. The method of controlling the operation of a motor vehicle by the use of a preprogrammed module mounted in said vehicle and connected to the control circuit and motor of said vehicle, said method comprising
 preprogramming said module with information relating to one or more of the following data groups,
 judicial information on the designated driver, to include age, license type, and entire violation record and court history 
 parental information on the designated driver, to include parental inputs as to curfew times, maximum speeds at various times of the day and night, 
 commercial information on the designated driver, to include type of license, experience with the particular vehicle type, past training on the vehicle and total number of hours spent on vehicle type, 
 statistical information on the designated driver, to include age, gender, and length of driving time, 
 
 providing an identification function to enable the designated driver to start and operate said motor vehicle, 
 downloading the operation of said motor vehicle by said designated driver at the conclusion of said operation, and 
 making any changes to said preprogramming necessitated by the previous driving record, 
 whereby a designated driver's continued operation of a motor vehicle may be monitored over time and corrective operation parameters programmed in where needed. 
 
   
   
     25. The method of  claim 24  wherein said preprogrammed data is programmed into said module via an infra-red or radio data link. 
   
   
     26. A module as in  claim 25  and including an infra red data link means for uploading and downloading said module. 
   
   
     27. An electronic module for use in controlling the operation of a vehicle by a specific driver, said module comprising
 a first portion adapted to be mounted inside a motor vehicle, 
 a second portion adapted to be placed inside said first portion, 
 a micro controller operational and sensing circuit means within said second portion and adapted to be loaded with operational parameters for operation of said motor vehicle, 
 whereby said second portion may be removed from said vehicle and first portion to be programmed by a conventional PC. 
 
   
   
     28. A module as in  claim 27  and including an alarm means adapted to warn the driver of an imminent alteration of the vehicles motor performance. 
   
   
     29. An interactive program for monitoring a youngsters driving performance for a vehicle containing a monitor for monitoring driver performance, said program comprising
 means to present to the parent of a youngster a record of his or her driving record for a given day, 
 selection means within the software which is adapted to interact with a control device on a vehicle to allow or not allow the youngster to drive the day following the given day, 
 
     whereby the youngster can control his ability to drive by driving properly and will be denied the ability to drive when his or her driving is below standards. 
   
   
     30. A program as in  claim 29  wherein said program includes interactive testing to determine whether the youngster may drive the following day or at any time subsequent to the given day. 
   
   
     31. A program as in  claim 30  wherein said interactive testing includes movie clips. 
   
   
     32. A program as in  claim 30  and including means to alter the driving program of the previous day which will be automatically transmitted to the vehicle monitor.